A teenage girl is held captive and brutally tortured by neighborhood children. Based on a true story, this shocking novel reveals the depravity of which we are all capable.This novel contains graphic content and is recommended for regular readers of horror novels.
The Girl Next Door
By jackketchum
So I am a big horror fan I saw this book in the store years ago and it said something along the lines of ” this book will stay with you for the rest of your life” I thought oh come on Im too jaded from everything else I have read. Jack Ketchum is a great horror writer and I love his stuff so I grabbed it. and yes this book has stayed with me the rest of my life. I cant really give too much away theres a lot of pain and a lot of bad stuff so enter at your own risk. But first look up the case of Sylvia Likens that’s what this is based off of. If that story tugs at your heart then consider reading this if that story makes you uncomfortable well then you’re just human Syliva’s story and this book should make you uncomfortable they really should. This book will make you flinch it will make you sad it will make you feel a lot of things you don’t normally feel when you read horror. That’s what makes this a GREAT book the effect it has on its reader because even if you don’t like the content, isn’t the effect of the content what we should judge a writers ability on ? Mr. Ketchum is one of my fave authors now I love all his stuff but this one will tug at every part of your heart and humanity.
Horrific – that’s the one word I would use to describe the actions spelled out in this book. The Girl Next Door is quite possibly one of the most disturbing books I have ever read – and my tastes run dark. I think knowing this is based off a true story made it that much more heartbreaking. It’s unfathomable to me that there are people out there like this – kids, who at the direction of an adult, in their confused young brains, think that makes the abuse somehow ok. It makes me sick just thinking about it 🙁
This is one of the most intense, horrifying and moving book that I’ve ever read. Honestly, this is not going to be for most people. The whole second half of the book had me wound up in a weird emotional state. I was horrified at what was taking place. I was constantly near tears for what was happening to the characters. And as much as I wanted things to stop, for the characters to snap out of it and do the right thing, I couldn’t put the book down because I had to know what was going to happen.
The basic premise, as told by our protagonist, is that a young girl and her sister move in next door with their mom’s sister when their parents die. Unfortunately the aunt is slowly losing her marbles. Part of what makes the story so gripping is not just the events that unfold but that everything is so real. The horrors inflected are done by real people, not crazed psychos or weirdos. Everyone is easy to identify with and remember from your own childhood that when things go bad, it’s not just the characters’ world that goes spinning, it’s your own as well. There is no way around it; if you read this book, you will end up feeling a swirl of emotions and thoughts. You will definitely be moved and affected, and it’s going to be a heavy move.
Haunting and sad, worst of all, it’s based on a true story. Don’t read if you have a weak stomach.
I couldn’t put this book down. I write this review with so many mixed feelings. It is a tragic twisted story and not for everyone. It makes you so very angry, frustrated and disgusted. The details are gory, so I caution anyone who wants to read this. That all being said, it was written well and captivating.